“There's always something to be grateful for” - artist Māra Skuja

How did your relationship with art begin?
In early childhood. Drawing was a natural pastime, I could draw, colour, read and do something on my own for hours.
What kind of style of an artist you consider yourself?
How has you been affected as an artist by your disability?
I would say that's one of the most important factors in why I chose art. If I didn't have a disability, I would definitely have taken up more active hobbies, different sports. As a child I loved ballet, but it was a distant and unattainable dream.
If you had to draw yourself, what would you draw? What is Māra through the prism of art?
What does it mean to you to display your soul on paper or an easel? What does it give you?
To many of us February 24th has made to reassess and a look at our life with different eyes. So I'll ask you what Latvia means to you?
How does life in Latvia and Latvia itself influence your art?
If we separate you from art, and in the artist's place stays just Māra? What is your daily life? What do you do each day?
I see that you are a socially active person. For you social issues are important. It is important to not stand aside. Why? Do you believe that one person is enough for a big change?
What the artist Māra is dreaming about, and what just Māra is dreaming about?
Artist Māra Skuja (28) |
Education: |
Professional Bachelor's degree in Materials Technology and Design, Riga Technical University |
Māra's achievements: |
developed, which includes a deck of associative cards. (2019)
100 fairy tales. 100 artists". (2018)
medal in the international children and youth art competition "Rainbow" and was invited to a thank-you event at the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Other competitions followed - 1st place in the international visual art competition "Birds in Latvia" (2013) and recognition in the international visual art competition "I Live by the Sea" (2014). |
Māra as a person: |
Lover of coffee, music and autumn. Spontaneous adventures, surprises and active recreation are needed in equal doses with peaceful activities. |
Motto of life: |
There is always something to be grateful for. |
Māras wish to people without disabilities: |
"Treat everyone with the same understanding and kindness as you treat those in obvious difficulties. There are many people with invisible disabilities around us every day and you may not even know it, but that doesn't mean they have an easy life." |
Māras wish to people with disabilities: |
"If you see injustice, don't condemn others, help them to understand and resolve it. The challenges faced by people with disabilities are not the only ones that need to be sorted out in today's world - people without disabilities also go through different difficulties that may not be in your everyday sight." |
You can follow Māra: |
www.maraskuja.art Instagram: @mara.drawings Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mara.Draws |
The article was prepared by Elīna Bērziņa
Dark days are as many as light - work in animal shelter has its' crust ', yet faith in the good in people remains

Every year there is a moment, when on streets you hear more meowing than usual. Social networks have been flooded with pictures of new born kittens, there are the ones who proudly offer kittens born in their own barns, and those who have found them in boxes abandoned in a variety of places and now are looking for help. In those moments, similar to those when you run into wandering dog in which eyes you can read despair and abandonment, questions arise for those, who is responsible for vulnerable destinies. What is their excuse for irresponsibility? To balance the world, there are also people who rush to correct the irresponsible mistakes. At this time, I spoke with Elīna Dambe, manager of animal shelter “Astes un Ūsas”.
The mosaic art of Linda, which speaks about the harsh reality of “sweet” pop life - in the dog world!

During our conversation there is both - laughter and passionate exclamations, and there is a moment in which Linda can’t hide her tears. Tears roll out because of pain for fellow people, who are misunderstood, such as Greta Thunberg, who has been offended in comments by people, without getting a deeper understanding of her illness. About stereotypes which divide and prevent society from accepting people with differences. About the suffering of animals and nature. And at the moment, a little bit about herself too, because for her this Covid time has been difficult and has taken away a bit of her strength.
A good photograph is not taken by the camera, but by the person who stands behind it

GET TO KNOW A CATCHER OF MOMENTS ARTA JOMA (34) |
Residence: |
Ozolnieki |
Education: |
|
Experience: |
I photograph, since I remember myself, but professional photographs I have since 2017 (after the course) |
Achievements of Arta: |
|
Favorite season for photographs: |
Every, it's difficult to choose one. I'm leaning forward to
spring, but it's just because it's mine favorite season (but I am
doubtful that this is related to the photograph.) |
The motto of life: |
For living helps glowing eyes and healthy optimism. |
Artas work can be found at: |
https://www.facebook.com/ArtaJomaFoto/ |
(Inspiring) With an optimism and faith faces each day – painter Mareks

One day in your life, one your
decision can change everything. This happened with Mareks. After
that Mareks could sink or rise. He had the strength to rise. Before
the accident, Mareks was a hospital attendant in the hospital,
after accident – he become one of the most popular painters in
Latvia. His paintings cheers up not only people of Latvia, but also
travels abroad to bring faith and love there.
One day after another or daily routine – to not loose mind, if you are strong in spirit.
As Mareks admits, mostly all days are the same. Except for cases when he has to be part of some events. In the mornings, Mareks turns to his side, reads the Bible, which is a mandatory part of his day, as the painter says himself: “It is needed for the growth of my spirit.” After that he takes a look of what is happening on social networks. Around 11:00 he starts his trainings. Then he and his assistant eat the lunch. Up until 17:00/18:00 he paints, except for cases, if some visitor does not come that day. Then he eat dinner, watch some movie and relaxes.
(Every day) Own workspace – one of the reasons which make life beautiful!

Be a social entrepreneur – what does it mean?!

Write or not to write. Better write
However gloomy day
you have, it can be brighten up, if you find unexpected postcard or
letter at your mail box. Lets talk regarding reasons, why you
should consider writting a
postcards:
Your time is
most valuable thing, which you can
share
Each day we
see a lot of news – you send messages, spend time on Facebook etc.
Information layers up, phones can be broken and messages can be
lost. Are those writtings, regarding experiences, have to be lost?
Wouldn’t it be great – at gloomy day, take and read them again? How
much would it take – if you would share your hearh warmth at
holidays, with real greeting? Imagine what it would mean to your
friend. No, why only at holidays. Better do it daily –
unexpectedly, warmly suprise your loved ones by sending them
postcard. Yes, message reaches faster, but not speed is most
valuable. It is time, which you have spent by coming to store,
buying a postcard and writting it by hand. That way you give a
message – you share your precious
time.